Folding opera-chair



(ModeL) J. JACKSON.

' FOLDING OPERA CHAIR. No. 254,325. Patented Feb. 28,1882.

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QW//// 4" 1:7 I g l\\\\\\\\\\\\\k\ WITNESSES INVENTOR -"TW ATTORNEYS [UNITE STAT S JOHN JACKSON, OF CLINTON, IOWA.

FOLDING OPERA-CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,325, dated February 28, 1882.

' Application filed October 25,1881. (Model) I To all whom 1t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN JACKSON, a citizen of the United States,and resident at Clinton, in the county of Clinton and State of Iowa, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Folding Chairs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being bad to the ing.- Fig. 3 is a sectional view when folded.

Figs. 4 and 4 are different views of the triple hinge. Fig. 5 is a view of the slotted arm, andFigs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are detail views of different portions of the chair. I

The object of this invention is to provide halls, churches, theaters, opera-houses, and other buildings andrailway-coaches also with seats which can be easily folded down below the flooring-level when it is desired to have them out of the way.

The invention consists in the construction and novel arrangement ot'the parts of the folding chair and of the recessed flooring or base, as hereinafter set forth. v

1n the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the base portion or boxing, which may form a part of the chair independent. of the flooring, or may be constructed betwfeen the joists of the flooring. The usual plan is to construct these bases independently and in such manner that they can readily be introduced between the joists, forming a bracing therefor. Each base is provided at one end with a wall or abutment, B, the upper edge of which is level with the flooring-line, andis beveled or shouldered to form a rest for one end of the floor-section O, which is in position under the chair when the latter is raised for use. At its other end each base is provided with a wall or abutment, D, having a shouldered or beveled edge .to support the other end of the floor-section, and having also the edge recesses a. To the sides of this wall or abutment D are secured the lower branches thereto.

of the hinges'b, whereby the lateral cross-legs E are connected to the base. i

The floor-section O is provided at about its middle portionwith sunken plates 0, having the holes or slots d, which are arranged at a distance from each other equal to that between the edge recesses a of the abutment D. The floor-section O is also provided near the abutment or wall D with thestuds e, which play in the angular slots g of the lateral connecting-plates F, theupper endsof which are secured to the cross-legs E of the chair. The length of the connecting-plate F is designed to'be equal to the distance between the flooring-line and the bottom of-the recess or casing A, or nearly so, and it is intended to support the rear end of the chair when folded down,

and by means of its angular slot to allow proper movement to bring the floor-section'O into place between the walls B and D when the chair is raised, or, when folded, to bring into similar position the floor-section G and the cross-legs E, which are laterally pivoted The floor-section C is also provided with the under catches, h, which engage the ledge of the abutment D and serve to prevent any casual rising of the rear end of this door section. These catches also serve to throw the floor-section O upward in the operation of folding the chair. When unfolded the chair-seatHis supported upon the floor-section G and the cross-legs E, the upper ends of the latter, when raised, fitting in the lateral notches k in the under side of the seat. In the unfolded position the floor-section G is obliquely arranged, and its lower edge engages, by means of the projections or feet I, the stopplates 0. To its upper part are secured the lower branches, f, of the triple hinges K, the horizontal branches m of which are secured to the seat H, and the long upwardly and rearwardly extending branches at of which carry the back L of the chair, which is usually arranged to rest in the upright, position on the upper edge of the floor-section G, upon which also rest the long'branchesn of the hinges. Notches N are usually formed at the rear corners of the seat to allow for the passage of the ends of the cross-legs E in folding and unfolding.

Pivoted to the back are the upwardly-foldjoists, and serves to brace the latter.

unfolded the section is in position,forming ing arms S, which are connected to the seat by means'of the link-supports V, pivoted at both ends to fold readily into parallel position between the seat and arms when the latter are thrown up in the plane of the back.

When the chair is folded, which is effected by turning the back down upon the seat,and then, by means of the sunken handle it of the floor-section or support G, raising the chair so that the supports come into perpendicular position, the back and seat fall forward and downward, and the front end of the floor-section 0 rises or can be raised against the back. The entire chair can be dropped below the flooring-surface, which is then partially formed-by the section or support G. In this position its projections or feet Z engage the edge recesses a of the wall D. In unfolding the chair it is i lifted by means of the sunken handle, thefloorsection 0 under the back rising on the inclined surfaces 2, which are arranged at the ends of the abutment B. The section G isarranged between the cross-legs E, and carries the pivots p,whereby the latter are connected thereto.

'These pivots have bent ends 1;, which workrin sector-shaped recesses r in the cross-legsfin which are secured metallic stops g to prevent undue wear.

When folded the ehairand base form a rectangular package,without projectio'us, which Hisin the best form for transportation. It can be easily arranged in position betweenthe When apart of the flooring, and when-folded the sec- 1 tion G, with the cross-legs E, occupies that position, the parts of the chair being folded below them.

The device is designed to be used in rooms where seats are sometimes required and sometimes dispensed'with, and it will be found to have its advantages in public buildings where seats are always required. It renders the clearing of the floor portion'a comparatively easy matter, as the'seats' can all be folded down out of the way. In case of fire the seats can all be removed in a few minutes and put in a positionwhere they will not interfere with the movements of the firemen or of those leaving the building. When'folded down the seats can be covered with a carpet, and a level floor obtained for purposes where seats are not required. Even when the flooring has'already been laid these chairs may be placed in rows thereon,and fixed by arranging boards edgewise between the chairs and narrow strips of flooring between the rows on top of the boards. In this manner a new floorin g or platform above the old floor will be formed, which will only take a few inches from the height of the ceilin g.

What I claim as 'my invention, and desire to secure. by Letters Patent, is-

1. A folding chair having two floor-sections connected therewith, one formingone of the chair-supports andarranged to take position as part of! the floor when the chair is folded, and the other forming a portion of the floor when the chair issetup for use, in combination with theflooryhaving a receptacle to receive thechairwhen folded, substantially as specified.

--2. The combination, with the floor or base casing A, of the floor-sections O and G, the CIOSS-lfQg'S E, folding seat H, back L,.and arms SV,and connecting devices therefor, substantially as specified.

'3. In achair,.the combinatiomwith the floorvsections? C. and G, the cross legs E, folding seat H, back L, and arms S V,'and devices to. r-pivotthe chair to the floor-receptacle,whereby the chair may be folded" and unfolded, subvstan'tiallyzasspecified.

In testimony that I claim theabove I'have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

' J OH-N. J AGKSO'N Witnesses:

CHAS. H. ToLL, J r., DALLAS D. RoItIoK. 

